The first major MLS award of 2012 has gone to Chicago Fire defender Austin Berry, who was named the league’s rookie of the year on Monday. The 24-year-old Cincinnati native beat out D.C. United midfielder and former University of Louisville roommate Nick DeLeon for the honor, becoming the eighth defender to earn the accolade.

Berry was selected ninth overall in the 2012 draft. He started 28 games this season, scored three goals and helped lead the Fire to the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time since 2009. He demonstrated uncommon maturity and durability for a rookie and partnered seamlessly with German veteran Arne Friedrich, a two-time World Cup veteran, to marshal a defense that ranked second (tied) in the Eastern Conference.

Austin Berry is the eighth defender and third Chicago Fire player to win MLS rookie of the year. (AP Photo)

“I’m very grateful. It’s a big honor, especially with the talent of this rookie class,” Berry said. “Having a successful team and being around the group of guys, it’s a great locker room to be in and to be back in the playoff for the Chicago Fire—that’s been the biggest thing. I’d have given the award up at the beginning of the season if they said we were going to be in the playoffs. That was the main goal for this team. To be able to win this award and be on a successful team right now, it’s fantastic.”

Berry received 51.79 percent of the votes cast by club officials, 56.92 percent of the media vote and 31.96 percent of the player vote (adding up to 140.67 points). DeLeon, who tallied six goals and four assists in the regular season, finished a distant second with 73.83 points and was followed by Vancouver Whitecaps forward Darren Mattocks (26.19), Toronto FC midfielder Luis Silva (18.93) and New York Red Bulls defender Connor Lade (8.76).

Berry joins U.S. national team captain Carlos Bocanegra (2000) and retired forward Damani Ralph (2003) as Fire rookies of the year.

MLS also announced its fair play award winners on Monday. Fire captain Logan Pause won the individual honor and the New England Revolution were the team recipient for the third time.